A Great Escape

She'd done it! She'd managed to escape!

Emily stood on a porch outside the funhouse, looking at the bustling crowds of Sideshow Alley, their balloons and whirligigs and sticks of candyfloss gleaming in the bright sunlight. She couldn't remember ever feeling so pleased with herself. She'd done it! She'd found her way out of the funhouse, all by herself!

She glanced over at Nathan, who was still in his booth by the door, still wearing his red nose. She could tell he'd never left, not even for a moment. He was so cute! And he was bound to be impressed by her now! The way he was looking at her, she just knew he was thinking that she was the prettiest, smartest, most responsible girl in the world. It had been a bit of a difficult day, Emily knew, but right now, this was a good moment to be alive.

She threw her hands in the air, stretching her shoulders, drinking in the sunlight. She felt confident. She felt brave. And, most of all, for the first time today, she felt dignified.

She heard the click of a pressure plate.

Mr. Jackson had spared no expense. The final airjet was the most powerful one in the building. It was designed to trap girls who'd just escaped the funhouse, girls who thought they were safe, and he'd wanted to ensure they would recieve one last particularly memorable surprise. It was a very powerful airjet. Strong enough to blow a loose T-shirt completely off a girl's body, if she had her arms raised, and hurl it across the fairground into the branches of a tall tree.

Emily stood there with her arms up, blinking in surprise, trying to puzzle out what had just happened. Natha was staring at her with his mouth open. She could see all of Sideshow Alley, and Sideshow Alley could see all of her.

She hadn't expected that at all!